Over the past 12 months, they have been much more vocal about their concerns.

They have advocated for improvements for a local infrastructure they say was neglected by the original developers.

The matter has been raised in council meetings, covered in the pages of The Courier and discussed in correspondence with council officers.

In response to the concerns, the City of Ballarat has carried out an audit of the condition and depth of the swale drain network.

It committed to making improvements to protect them against erosion, with works due to take place over several streets in the township early in 2020.

For some residents in the area, however, it may be a case of too little, too late.

Local resident Neil Black has led the charge for change, and for him the only realistic, long-term solution to the problem would come with the installation of kerb and channel guttering.

The council however has said it was looking to undertake "rock beaching and other remedial treatment on the steeper sloping terrain" to reduce erosion.

Mr Black said he did not think the plans were going to work effectively.

"They are going to be repairing it all the time," he said.

"The technology isn't there to make it a long-term solution."

While the original developers said they were in keeping with the area's "semi rural" feel, residents have noticed how they have eroded, become untidy - and more prone to flood.

"If they had got a geology report they would have known that," Mr Black said.

The soil in the area is known as buckshot soil, he said, which is prone to washing away. It makes it the wrong type of geological environment for the type of drains installed, he believes - and that he and his neighbours were sick of them.

"Everyone's the same - they hate the gutters. The whole place looks un-cared for," Mr Black said.

Council proposals include putting the drains at a maximum depth of 25cm, but Mr Black makes the point that existing pipes and driveways will make it very hard to stick to those measurements.

The council meanwhile said a kerb and channel type solution would not be "a feasible solution given the extensive allotment sizes".

A spokesperson said such a project "would significantly change the character of this village which has attracted a very vibrant population."

Mr Black says he would be happy to be proved wrong but can't imagine residents being able to look after the drains easily on their own.

"It doesn't add up," he said. "The maths isn't there."

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